Analysts pontificating on the iMac, .Mac down for "maintenance," baseless …

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There should be some way to describe what happens shortly before Apple announces new products in the same way physical laws like the speed of light are described. Except instead of gaining mass, one increasingly gains rumors upon approaching an Apple Event Horizon, almost certainly resulting in crushing disappointment when a boom box or a $99 leather case for an iPod is revealed. Like the speed of light, Apple's speed of hype is something that can be approached but never equaled by whatever is announced, but that doesn't stop people from talking. AppleInsider has the latest ruminations a as research note from Gene Munster, analyst for Piper Jaffray.

"For the past two years Apple has announced new iPod models in September, ahead of the holiday shopping season; this year Apple is announcing upgraded Macs ahead of the education buying season," the analyst wrote. "And similar to the successful holiday quarters in 2005 and 2006, we expect Mac sales in the 2007 education season to be strong."

334 days ago, the iMac was updated, adding a 24" display on the high end, and Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs across the line. At the same time, the Mac mini was "upgraded" to Intel Core Duo CPUs, and since then nothing. Well, except possibly the imminent demise of an "incredibly compact Mac for a price that almost anyone can afford," as Steve Jobs once said. However, Munster's comments focused on the iMac and "a 13-inch MacBook Pro model featuring an ultra-portable, lightweight enclosure"

Meanwhile, MacRumors was quick to note this little tidbit from the .Mac site.

Due to scheduled maintenance, .Mac members might be intermittently unable to access some .Mac services from 10 AM to 12 PM PDT on 08/07/2007. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The overpriced and underfeatured service has languished almost since its inception. However, in June Steve Jobs did contritely respond to Walt Mossberg's gentle remonstration over the state of .Mac at the "D: All Things Digital" conference, saying "we'll make up for lost time in the near future." This could mean new features, though lowering the price would be an even better idea. And making .Mac free again—remember iTools?—might be the best idea of all.

Finally, from what is arguably the worst place for Apple rumors outside of Mac OS Rumors, Digitimes is mongering about a new, flash-based iPod for September.

The new iPod video will use NAND flash as the major storage media, and will have a storage density of 16GB, according to the sources.

This would contrast with the video iPod rumor from Digitimes last month.

Apple is set to launch a next-generation iPod video in August with the new products featuring a touch screen panel similar to the iPhone, the sources noted.

Of course, you have to expect this kind of thing at this point. Be it Digitimes or Gizmodo, the rumor relativity effect is in full force with less than 24 hours until... something happens... something wonderful.